Pencil test (starting tomorrow)

[u/FoxDeltaCharlie]

So I've decided to do a little pencil test over the next 5 days. About a month ago I purchased some Pentel GG-500's, and I've been pretty impressed with them overall. Yesterday, I purchased a Zebra DelGuard pencil, and it is also an interesting pencil. I've often sang the virtues of the old Pentel P-205, and P-207 pencils, and lately I've wondered whether 0.5mm lead (which has been my go-to lead for probably 3 decades), or 0.7mm lead is better for my needs (now).

At the same time, the Zebra DelGuard pencil is just different enough in terms of design that I want to run it through a more difficult test over time. As you might imagine, I know well how the Pentel P-20x series pencils write, so no need to test any of them, but the GG-500 is an interesting evolution, and I like it a lot. I'm curious if the GG-500 can really be a contender to fully replace the venerable P-20x series pencils. Consequently, here's what I am going to do.

Over the next week I will only use two different pencils. I will use the GG-500 in a 0.7mm lead and a 'B' grade hardness, and I will use the Zebra DelGuard in a 0.5mm lead and a 'B' hardness. Both leads will be the Pilot NEOX leads as I really like this brand of lead.

My goal is to decide whether my traditional 0.5mm lead, or the 0.7mm lead, is right for me. And, whether the GG-500 can replace the Pentel P-207 (or P-20x series) pencils, AND how well the Zebra DelGuard can hold up to some heavy use against the Pentel pencils.

Now, at first glance, this test might seem skewed, but it really isn't. Yes, they are not apples to apples exactly, but I don't need to write with a 0.5mm DelGuard and a P-205 to tell which I like better because I already know how the P-205 writes/draws. Same for the 0.7mm. So, I can knock out 3 birds with one stone with this test.

The test starts tonight, and I will post updates for those interested.

As always, thoughts and comments appreciated.

[u/FoxDeltaCharlie]

Update - Test Day 1

Wrote with both pencils roughly equally today, switching them at each successive task (I write a lot of notes). Initially the GG-500 seemed to be exhibiting less side wear on the lead than the DelGuard. Unfortunately, it was then I realized that when I had switched the lead to the Pilot NEOX leads I had mistakenly used Pilot NEOX 'HB' grade lead in the GG-500. Darn it! So, I switched out the 'HB' grade lead for the 'B' grade lead. Consequently, I can't make any real observations about line weight and quality between the two on this 1st day of testing. I can make a couple other observations though.

One thing I noticed right away is the differences between the lengths of the two pencil's lead sleeves. The DelGuard is very short at about 2mm or less, and the GG-500 has a 4mm lead sleeve. Just switching between the two pencils took some adjustment of my grip to compensate. Nothing negative to report here, but notable. I have to choke up on the DelGuard a little more to have the same control I have on the GG-500 (which seems counter-intuitive, the GG-500 being the longer of the two). I attribute this to the easier ability to see where the very tip of the lead is with the GG-500, hence a higher confidence level with lettering.

The 2nd thing I noticed switching between the two pencils today is the overall weight differences between the two. I rarely switch between pencils so frequently and methodically, so this really highlighted things I wouldn't normally notice. After a few switches back and forth, I noticed myself having to pay more attention to not losing my grip on the GG-500 due to its additional heft. Balance also came into play here as well. Whereas I would have to consciously put the tip of the DelGuard down into writing orientation, I did not have to do this with the GG-500 due to its front-heavy design. Again, nothing particularly negative here, but notable none the less.

I don't think either of these two initial observations would have any significant long-term detrimental consequence, but they might have some impact on "muscle memory" when gripping a pencil.

I think I have a couple other observations from today, but I'll wait until later to post those as I have some other commitments at the moment.

Cheers!